Day 63 / Mile 7410

Getting passed the Dakotas was relieving, for it was pretty lonely on those long desolate stretches of open road. Headed towards Minnesota I was really looking forward to seeing a couple friends. It wasn't going to be any warmer, actually a bit colder, so I was hyped to have a couch to crash on.

Ya.  Ok.  Real good then...  Crank the heater. — Ya. Ok. Real good then... Crank the heater.

This state sign is out of order since I was driving at night and missed the first Minnesota crossing. My bad, but I still got it later down the road!

Up in the far north of Minnesota is Bemidji where I visited my friend Terese.   There's a classic Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox monument next to the lake.  Even though it's not as detailed as Mt Rushmore, it's still a great … — Up in the far north of Minnesota is Bemidji where I visited my friend Terese. There's a classic Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox monument next to the lake. Even though it's not as detailed as Mt Rushmore, it's still a great statue.

Uff-da, it's scary walking on ice.  The temps are so cold that it's like 2' thick here.  ...even though it's all cracked you're just fine. — Uff-da, it's scary walking on ice. The temps are so cold that it's like 2' thick here. ...even though it's all cracked you're just fine.

It's actually so stable that people drive their trucks out here and set up these fishing hut buildings. — It's actually so stable that people drive their trucks out here and set up these fishing hut buildings.

This hut was begging for a portrait, so I obliged.

When I got off the lake the muskies retaliated to my support of the fishing community!

You've maybe noticed that I am a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright's work.  Obviously I'm not his #1 fan, because I've been spelling Lloyd with only 1 "L".  Sorry Lloyd, I still love your architecture like this gas station here. — You've maybe noticed that I am a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright's work. Obviously I'm not his #1 fan, because I've been spelling Lloyd with only 1 "L". Sorry Lloyd, I still love your architecture like this gas station here.

I cruised through Duluth which was literally a drive down memory lane.  I've snowboarded and shot photos at this handrail numerous time years ago.  Recently there was a massive mudslide, so the actual railing has been changed.&nb… — I cruised through Duluth which was literally a drive down memory lane. I've snowboarded and shot photos at this handrail numerous time years ago. Recently there was a massive mudslide, so the actual railing has been changed.

I title this: "Two-plank Pantone Palace".

I went over to Chester Bowl where I snowboarded in 2005, back when the lift ticket was $3.00. Yeah that's not a typo.  It's changed as well, there used to be a huge ski jump there!  Check the photo below... — I went over to Chester Bowl where I snowboarded in 2005, back when the lift ticket was $3.00. Yeah that's not a typo. It's changed as well, there used to be a huge ski jump there! Check the photo below...

My buddy, Zac Marben, and I bombed this hill on super small and edgeless snowboards, making it super squirrelly and fun.  This was published in the 2005 Transworld Resort Guide, shot by Mark Kohlman. — My buddy, Zac Marben, and I bombed this hill on super small and edgeless snowboards, making it super squirrelly and fun. This was published in the 2005 Transworld Resort Guide, shot by Mark Kohlman.

Thanks Wisconsin, especially for your contribution to the cheese world.

There isn't any In-N-Out burger joints out here, well anywhere too far outside southern California actually, so this was my fast food stop at one point.  It is "All American Food" as they claimed, complete with those Wisconsin white cheddar che… — There isn't any In-N-Out burger joints out here, well anywhere too far outside southern California actually, so this was my fast food stop at one point. It is "All American Food" as they claimed, complete with those Wisconsin white cheddar cheese curds deep fried to a heavenly state. mmmmm, washed those down with a crisp rootbeer. Then I sat back down in my van and soaked up all those calories like an All American would.

The only location in WI that I really wanted to visit was this place.  Their claim is "Home of the worlds largest mounted muskies", which are some massive stuffed fish that the locals are very proud of. — The only location in WI that I really wanted to visit was this place. Their claim is "Home of the worlds largest mounted muskies", which are some massive stuffed fish that the locals are very proud of.

...but my interest was the other super funny taxidermy they had along the walls.  Check out this amazing but hilarious seen of these furry little dudes.  ...oh Sweet Adeline! — ...but my interest was the other super funny taxidermy they had along the walls. Check out this amazing but hilarious seen of these furry little dudes. ...oh Sweet Adeline!

Just playin some cards at the Bloody Gulch Inn.

I swung by and hung out with this radical dude, Ethan Deiss.  I used to sponsor him at Arnette eyewear, where he was one of the big time pro snowboarders on the team.  I took him to Australia once, such a fun guy to travel with.&… — I swung by and hung out with this radical dude, Ethan Deiss. I used to sponsor him at Arnette eyewear, where he was one of the big time pro snowboarders on the team. I took him to Australia once, such a fun guy to travel with.

I swung back into Minnesota and walked around the Franconia Sculpture Park.  There are tons of great pieces there, but these couple were most photogenic. — I swung back into Minnesota and walked around the Franconia Sculpture Park. There are tons of great pieces there, but these couple were most photogenic.

Day 67 / Mile 7750

I headed over to Minneapolis and visited another friend who I once sponsored at Arnette, Jordan Michilot. It was super cold here too, so I was thankful he let me stay at his place for a couple days.

He took me to a waterfall off the Mississippi River that was completely frozen.  We trespassed and hiked behind it, so I could make this rad photo of him. — He took me to a waterfall off the Mississippi River that was completely frozen. We trespassed and hiked behind it, so I could make this rad photo of him.

Isn't this self-portrait 'cool'.  Yeah, I was cold. — Isn't this self-portrait 'cool'. Yeah, I was cold.

We went over to St Paul to check out this amazing church, the Cathedral of St Paul.

Not all of my self-portraits are perfectly centered like a Wes Anderson film, sometimes I like to throw it off to add a little emotion.

Especially this one, I got that "rule of thirds" in my back pocket.

I need to thaw out a little, so I'm headed south to explore some regions in the middle of America. I'll be rolling through Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, & Kansas.

If you want to see a more live feed, follow my Instagram @RobbieSell. And always, please tell your friends about this and send me advice on photogenic locations to visit: robbie@robbiesell.com

Thanks y'all!